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It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.

Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.

Predictable Foundations

Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.

The Canine Charisma

How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.

Where It Wobbles

Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)

Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.

• Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.